I do know that the WotF-contest only accepts unpublished stories. But what if the story (running in this quarter) gets published after this quarter is over? More specific: What if I send out the story to magazines now - while the contest is still running - but the date of publication will be after this quarter ends? That shouldn't be a problem, right? Or is it unwise for some reason I'm not aware of?Any insights appreciated. :)

I really don't recommend duplicate submissions unless everyone involved offers a non-exclusive contract. Most magazines (including WotF, I do believe) want exclusive rights to your story for the first year. Submitting to multiple venues at the same time will usually get you a bad name in the publishing industry.

If a person offend you, and you are in doubt as to whether it was intentional or not, do not resort to extreme measures; simply watch your chance and hit him with a brick. ~ Mark Twain2015, Q4: R2016: SF, n/a, SHM, SHM2017: SHM, n/a, F, R

Peony is spot on. Generally speaking, unless a magazine, contest, or anthology specifically allows for simultaneous submissions, it's not a good idea to send them a story that you've already sent somewhere else. Editors get grumpy when they fall in love with a story and want to buy it, only to find out that it's already been sold to somewhere else.

First up: I'm absolutely with the above, and agree you shouldn't submit unless simultaneous subs are explicitly allowed (e.g. we're okay with them at PodCastle).

That said--WotF doesn't actually claim any exclusivity over the story. No mention of it at all in the contract. I'd subbed mine as a reprint before WotF32 was published, and the audio reprint was out only three months later. When Stewart asked them directly they said "we can't stop you publishing it elsewhere first, but please don't". That's really what it comes down to with WotF--it'd just be a bit rude to get it published elsewhere first, even if it's original at time of submission.